The board never lied.

Percy had learned that the second time he'd played chess against his teacher. The first had been a catastrophic defeat, with the boy barely managing to take out two of her pieces before succumbing to the older woman's expertise. He'd hung his head down then, and whispered the words which to this day still made him laugh.

I don't like this game.

He could still picture the woman's amused look when he said that. She insisted they at least play a second game, just to humor her. He accepted because his parents had already paid an hour of her time, and he really didn't have anything better to do. Besides, she'd been the only adult he'd met at that point in his life that didn't call him by his dead name, so giving her that small satisfaction seemed like the least he could do.

So play again they did, and the change from game to game was like that of day and night.

His teacher had been holding back. That time she carved a bloody path through the board so ruthlessly and methodically that the boy was left completely speechless. Not a single piece did he manage to take from her, and not a single move did he make which didn't end up furthering her goals instead. The way she moved her pieces, the complete lack of doubt as she poured her heart into the board, the terrifying cold of her eyes as she annihilated the boy sitting across her… Percy had never seen something so beautiful.

Teach me to do that. Please.

She smiled then, as if she'd been expecting to hear that. No, as if she couldn't picture a world in which he wouldn't have said that. She accepted his offer, and what followed were five long years of training in which she made sure she imparted every single piece of knowledge about chess she'd been able to gather to him.

The most important of those rules being the first she taught him. The board never lied.

It was still as true as the day he'd learned it, he thought as his eyes set on the opponent across him. Inyssa leaned forward into the board, one hand hovering above her pieces and the other holding on strongly to the edges of the table. Intense was the first word which came to him as he studied her, as he read her style of play like an open book.

She hesitated for a moment, and then moved her bishop closer to his queen. Still trying to trap her, still trying to take out what she considered to be his strongest piece. And it would've been a good play too, if he didn't have that special knight. A tad careless, but she'd managed to avoid the consequences of it so far by forcing him to sacrifice some of his pieces to protect the stronger ones. He was at a disadvantage in that regard, although he still maintained better positioning.

He moved his queen out of the way, giving her free rein to take one of his rooks. Inyssa shook her head slightly and let out a sound halfway through a snort and an offended growl.

"Of course," she whispered.

She was proud as well, but that was something one could learn by just looking at her. No, her movements on the board revealed much more than that. Things hidden and whisper thin, things that she would never tell anyone. Couldn't tell anyone.

He suspected it when he saw her fight with Fantina, but now it was clear; her style of play was contradictory. She moved her pieces with something akin to both anger and determination, but not quite either of them. It was as if someone were holding a gun to her head and telling her to give it her all. Anxiety and panic bubbled just below her surface, ready to explode at a moment's notice.

But at the same time she tried her best to protect her pieces, every single one of them. No matter what the situation was she sent her queen first to attack and supported her with everything else, scurrying around the board and trying her best not to lose any of them.

Such clash of completely different strategies was the only reason Percy hadn't won yet. He was having trouble understanding how she operated.

In a deep, deep part of her Inyssa was afraid, he could tell that much. But the reason for it remained dark to him, and it bothered him to no end. It had been the same back then, when she grabbed that last Pokeball of hers with shaking hands and revealed that strange Pokemon. He expected her to lose back then, expected the ghost Pokemon to disobey her because that made sense, and then it hadn't. Inyssa asked him for help and promised him something, and then he fought for her.

He could honestly not believe his eyes. A ghost Pokemon willingly helping a rookie trainer. It was as if reason had taken a day off, and Percy would be lying if he said it wasn't part of the reason he'd challenged her to a chess match.

After a few seconds of consideration, he finally spoke.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask you."

Inyssa barely lifted her head as she whispered a response back. "Aren't you supposed to be focusing on the match?"

"I'm good at multitasking," he shrugged. "If you answer my question I'll give you a chess tip after I win, since you certainly seem to need it."

She shot him a murderous look, somewhat watered down by her intense concentration.

"Shoot."

He made his move first and asked second, as to have a bigger impact. Mind games, his teacher would've called it.

"Why do you want to be the Champion?"

The rhythm that had dictated every one of Inyssa's moves came to a halt there, as her fingers froze over one of her bishops. She looked up to him, and opened her mouth to speak. Her lower lip trembled.

"The Champion is the best trainer in the region," was her simple answer, "and that's me. It only feels appropriate to make it official."

Percy sighed. He should've known he wouldn't get an answer so easily.

He needed to try harder.

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"Come on Pedri, you can do it!"

Barry put both hands around his mouth and shouted encouragement to his Prinplup, who was in the difficult process of trying to balance plates with his fins alone. The proud Pokemon stared daggers at his trainer as he plotted his revenge for later. Maybe he'd fire a Water Gun on top of his pancakes next time he bought some. That'd teach him.

Next to him was Reiko's Scyther, who was having similar problems balancing the plates with his lack of fingers. He seemed offended that his trainer would put him in such a humiliating position, so they had that in common at least.

They lost after a few seconds, and both trainers were forced to leave the game once they realized there was no chance of winning.

"Man, we were so close that last time," Barry pouted, hands on his pockets. "I really wanted that poffin case."

Reiko gave him a couple pats on the back. "It's okay kiddo, can't win them all. Besides, you already got that cool scarf."

He glanced down at the piece of blue and white cloth tied around his arm. The owner of the shooting gallery had explained that it was a special scarf made from refined Persian hair. It had the strange property of making Pokemon faster and more limber if they had it on, which sounded incredibly useful.

Still, he didn't deserve such a cool thing.

"I kinda got this one for Niss," he admitted, rubbing the tip of the scarf with his fingers. He couldn't believe how soft it felt.

"I see…"

Reiko got closer suddenly. She leaned her head down and squinted, as if trying to study Barry's expression. The boy stopped and took a step back, looking at the sides nervously. Had he said something…?

Her lips curled into a sinister smile. "So… how long since you two… you know?"

Barry blinked a few times, confused. Since they… what? What was she talking about?

"You know," she elaborated. "Is this an anniversary thing? How long have you two been a thing?"

Realization hit him then. She thought… Reiko thought he and Niss…

"W-wha...!?" He raised both hands in front of him. "That's not it! We're not… That's not why I got her this!"

Reiko could barely maintain her serious expression for a few seconds before breaking into a fit of laughter. She crossed her arms over her stomach and had to lean in on a lamp post. He heard his Prinplup snicker in amusement behind him.

"Reiko!" He stomped the ground, heat rising to his face. "Reiko, that's not funny!"

"Oh, it is. Trust me." She wiped a tear off her eyes, still giggling. "I can't believe… oh man, I'm usually so spot-on about this kinda stuff."

Barry pointed his finger at her, an accusing look on his face. "W-well, what about you!? You got a gift for Percy too!"

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Reiko let out another giggle, and tilted her head in confusion. "I mean… yeah? Why do you think I did it?"

Realization hit him again, this time with the force of a hammer. Pedri couldn't help but laugh at the face his trainer made.

"What!?" He yelled, startling the people around him. "Are you two dating!?"

"And Barry finally crosses the finish line!" Reiko threw her arms to the sky. "Unfortunately all the other contenders died of old age waiting for him to get there."

"B-but you don't act like a couple!" he protested, his worldview falling to pieces around him. "Aren't you supposed to like… be super nice and cuddly and stuff when you're with someone?"

Reiko's smile froze a bit, and then slowly died as she realized she was dealing with a seventeen year old who'd probably never dated anyone. Her mocking expression was replaced with a warm smile.

"Oh Barry…" she shook her head, hands on her hips. "I mean, sometimes that happens, but the way you treat someone doesn't have to change that much when you're in a relationship. Dating someone is like being friends with them but… different," she explained, trying to choose her words carefully. "But… not too different. Understand?"

"I… is that true? Is that how it works?"

Barry let himself fall against his Pokemon, who made no effort to try and hold him. Instead he gave him a couple of reluctant pats on the head. Reiko knelt in front of the boy with a smile and did the same.

"Don't believe everything you see on T.V, kiddo," she said. "And don't worry about it too much, I'm sure she'll love your gift no matter what your intention was."

He looked down at the piece of cloth on his arm, and furrowed his brow. Now that he knew the truth he wasn't sure if the gesture had been entirely platonic to begin with.

"You think so?"

She gave him a thumbs up. "Yeah! Trust me, that girl may act like an ice queen but she loves cute stuff. I know her type."

Barry couldn't help but smile at Reiko's diagnosis. It couldn't have been more spot on.

"Now…" she gave him another yank up, still smiling. "Let's go get you a gift for yourself! Those Pokemon races look pretty fun, so we should try there first."

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"That's not the real reason, is it?"

Inyssa did her best to ignore the heat traveling through her body as she concentrated on the game. What the hell was the guy's problem? And why had he become so interested in her all of a sudden?

"Maybe it is, maybe it's not," she shrugged. "Why do you care?"

"I don't. We barely know each other, but the way you play and the way you battle are equally interesting, and I'd like to know what lies hidden behind both those things."

His answer was enough to give her pause. She had to admit, the boy's honesty was refreshing, even if it didn't make her any less angry towards the situation.

"Well, what about you?" she tried to change the subject. "No offense but you don't look like the ambitious type. Why are you taking the League challenge?"

Now it was his turn to freeze. It happened fast, almost enough to make it seem like he was just deliberating about his next move, but Inyssa knew better.

"Family reasons."

She couldn't help but laugh at his response. "Ain't that typical."

That's as far as the conversation went. Inyssa lowered her head as most of her mind focused on the task at hand, and the other part that remained wouldn't stop bugging her about Percy.

Should I ask him about his family? Would it be the right thing to do?

She definitely had the advantage in pieces, having lost almost none despite Percy's offensive style. But he still managed to escape almost every attack she sent towards his side of the board, and she was pretty sure he was planning something.

Does he want me to ask him?

He was keeping both his bishops at opposite sides, making sure she couldn't make use of castling. He protected them well too, surrounding the pieces with his queen and remaining rook while his knight jumped into the offensive. She needed to break through, somehow.

Do I even care? He just said he doesn't.

She could try attacking from the flank, but that would mean leaving her right side open, which had lost a couple pawns already. No, she needed to set up a long term plan if she wanted any chance to break down his defenses.

"You want to ask me about it," Percy spoke out of nowhere, eyes still set on the board, "but you're not sure if it would be appropriate."

Her train of thought stopped on its tracks, and she gave the boy a look which carried more than a few curses with it.

You think you're so clever, don't you?

"Mostly I don't want to do the same afterwards," she lied. "If we start sharing family stories I might have to tell you mine and then you'll say: 'Your horrible personality finally makes sense!'"

Percy laughed. An honest, high pitched laugh that even made him snort. The change the laugh made on his face was enough to actually startle Inyssa.

"That might just be the case," he admitted.

She tried her best to hide her own smile.

"Well, there you have it. Feel free to share, fancy boy, but don't expect me to do the same."

His response came almost a minute later, when she figured he wouldn't be humoring her any longer. She didn't want to admit she was glad to be wrong.

"I come from a family of distinguished trainers," he explained. "All of them have at the very least gotten through Victory Road at some point. Naturally, I am expected to do the same."

She expected more, but he said nothing else. That had been… a lot simpler than she expected.

"But do you want to do it or not?" she questioned him after a long silence.

He clicked his tongue before answering, "In a way, yes. I have my pride as a trainer, and I enjoy battling. I'm still trying to figure out what I really want out of this journey."

She couldn't help but feel some disdain towards his words. Maybe she just didn't like people who didn't know what to do of their lives in principle. Maybe it just reminded her of herself when she was younger.

"Why here, though? Why Sinnoh and not your own region?"

His fingers danced over his remaining rook as he stared at nothing, "Kalos is… in a complicated state right now. We've gone through five Champions in the past two years, and my father deemed the League to be too weak for me."

She didn't need to be psychic to understand. A wave of anger passed over her as she couldn't help but feel offended for Percy.

"So when he heard that our Champion hasn't lost in twelve years…" she continued, "he decided to send you here."

The boy gave another, weak shrug as he kept moving the pieces. His shoulders were low and his eyes had lost the little brightness they had in them. Inyssa felt a knot forming in her stomach.

"He doesn't expect me to become the Champion, I know that much. He wants me to at least beat one of the Elite Four so I don't bring shame to my name." His words were coated in a thin poison that made Inyssa feel a lot worse than she expected to. "Maybe I will beat the Champion, just to spite him. He was never able to, after all."

To try and get better as a response to those who didn't believe in you… Inyssa knew the feeling well. She bit her lip as she moved her queen to take his remaining rook.

"That sounds great," she spoke sincerely. "I'm willing to let you be the third strongest after me and Barry. That should be good enough for you to rub on your dad's face, right?"

Percy showed her the first warm smile he'd seen on his lips, along with a non verbal thanks she didn't fail to pick up on. He then moved his queen to a position just between both his bishops, and his plan finally came together in Inyssa's head. A three pronged attack which aimed to neutralize all her defensive pieces while keeping her own queen trapped.

But she wouldn't be bested so easily. By using his remaining pieces for the offensive he'd let his impenetrable defense down, and his left side was now open. Without hesitation she moved her rook to take the pawn just two squares away from his king. One more move and she'd have him trapped.

"You lasted a lot longer than I expected."

The words were enough to break her concentration, and she looked up to ask what he meant by that. A devious smile formed across his face as he put one finger over his knight.

"But this wasn't going to end any other way."

He moved the piece to the exact center of the board, and all of Inyssa's plans came crashing down around her.

The positioning was nothing short of perfect. While she'd been concentrating too much on his defense she didn't realize that he'd been planning a devastating offense at the same time. From that place the knight could know have access to almost every part of the board thanks to the support of both bishops and the queen. And worst of all both her best pieces were now trapped behind enemy lines.

"When did you…?" She whispered, eyes opened wide.

"You put too much trust in your queen and tried to both protect your weaker pieces and keep them out of trouble. Thanks to that I could set up something like this." His eyes met hers, and Inyssa's lip trembled. "There you have your chess tip. Diversify. Don't be afraid to sacrifice in order to get an advantage."

She grit her teeth in frustration and silently swore to herself that she would prove him wrong.

The match lasted only four more moves. Percy annihilated her defenses and trapped her king before she could even reposition her queen back to her side of the board. Inyssa was pretty sure she would've felt less insulted if he simply grabbed the board and threw it in her face.

With all said and done Percy picked up his prize as she kept sitting in place, silently grumbling and wondering exactly where she'd made a mistake.

"Don't think too much about it," he told her when he came back from the counter. "Here, catch."

She barely had time to react as he threw the stone at her face. With clumsy fingers and a spike of anxiety she managed to catch it just before it reached the ground. The stone was cold and had a texture similar to glass, but it glowed with a beautiful yellow that could've functioned as a light source on its own.

"I don't like handouts," she scowled at him.

"You need it more than I do. Consider it a prize for giving me an enjoyable match."

She studied his face for a few seconds before responding. "Well… but I'll pay it back to you somehow. I don't like owing things to people."

"I'm sure you don't," he put the strap of his backpack over his shoulder as he walked towards her and gave her a pat on the back. "Come on, we should find Barry and Reiko before they set the entire place on fire."

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The rest of the day transpired with relative peace. They ran into their friends after ten minutes of searching, and Inyssa was stunned both by the Pokemon egg Barry carried in his hands and the scarf he gave her as a gift.

He blushed too when he did it, which made Inyssa feel like someone was playing drums inside her ribcage. She then proceeded to give the Choice Scarf to Shadi, who shed tears of happiness at the sight of her beautiful gift. She would've lied if she said her first option hadn't been Enma, but considering his attitude that past week she didn't think he deserved such a cool gift.

And just like that the day came to an end, and all four of them unanimously decided to leave the city the next day. They'd been lucky they even came across the festival, and without it the only thing the town had to offer was a strange tunnel full of mysterious caves which Inyssa was so not interested in.

With the light of a new day also came the time for goodbyes, as temporary as they were. Both Percy and Reiko had already beaten the leader of Veilstone, so they had no need to go back. Instead they chose their next target to be the steel type Gym at Canalave City.

"We'll take a small detour towards Celestic Town and then head southwest with our flying Pokemon," explained Percy, mapping their route on his Pokétch.

"What Gym are you kids gonna tackle next?" Reiko asked excitedly. "After Veilstone, of course."

She'd been thinking about it for a few days now. She wanted to leave Sunnyshore for last, since she'd heard its leader was as strong as an Elite Four member and wanted to battle him at his full strength. And she didn't really feel like walking all the way north through the cold towards Snowpoint, so that only left her two options. One of which was closer.

"Sounds good!" Reiko gave them a thumbs up after she answered. "Then we'll meet in Pastoria. Make sure to keep us updated on your journey, and don't you dare lose against Veilstone's Gym Leader."

"Yes mom," both Barry and Inyssa replied with a sly smile.

They waved goodbye as the older trainers disappeared into the western paths of the Route, and after what Inyssa considered an eternity she was finally left alone with Barry again.

Not that she'd admit she missed that. Never in a million years.

"Um… Niss?"

The boy tugged at her sleeve weakly, a weak blush covering his cheeks. One of his arms was still around the white Pokemon egg covered in red and blue triangles.

"What is it?"

"Did you know…" he whispered while avoiding her gaze, "...did you know that Percy and Reiko are dating?"

The question caught her off guard. She raised an eyebrow in confusion and tilted her head to the side.

"Yeah, obviously," was her response. "Anyone with a pair of eyes could've told you that."

"O-oh."